Judges to consider Athens County sheriff's suspension

Wednesday

Feb 19, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 19, 2014 at 5:45 PM

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has appointed the judges who will consider suspending the Athens County sheriff while criminal charges are pending against him. O'Connor appointed retired Common Pleas Court Judges Neal B. Bronson of Warren County, Jennifer L. Sargus of Belmont County, and John F. Bender of Franklin County this morning to hear the suspension request filed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Mary Beth Lane, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor has appointed the judges who will consider suspending Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly while criminal charges are pending against him.

O’Connor appointed retired Common Pleas Court Judges Neal B. Bronson of Warren County, Jennifer L. Sargus of Belmont County, and John F. Bender of Franklin County this morning to hear the suspension request filed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Kelly said this morning he will fight the request to suspend him from the $69,372-a-year job.

“Absolutely, we’ll oppose any suspension. I am innocent,” he said. “I would hope the panel of judges would say I should remain in office. If not, I will appeal.”

Kelly, a 63-year-old Democrat re-elected to his second term in 2012, has pleaded not guilty to a 25-count indictment that charges him with running an organized-crime scheme from his office.

Conviction on the most-serious charge, the first-degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, carries a maximum penalty of 11 years in prison.

The corruption charge alleges that Kelly used his office regularly to misspend public money on meals and clothing and to pocket money from selling county-owned vehicles for scrap, and then engaged in a cover-up.

State law allows for the provisional paid suspension of an elected official charged with a felony if it’s determined that the charge relates to administering the official’s duties.

The judges have 14 days to make a preliminary determination on suspending Kelly. If they determine he should be suspended, Kelly has 14 days to contest it and present his position at a hearing. The judges would then make their final determination.